Acting Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Susan Thornton will lead a high-level U.S. government delegation to the 29th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Session with Forum Dialogue Partners (PIF FDP) on September 7, 2017 in Apia, Samoa.
A statement from the State Department issued through the US Embassy in Samoa said Thornton’s visit will demonstrate U.S. commitment to our continuing close partnership with the Pacific Islands in promoting sustainable growth and prosperity, ensuring regional stability, and addressing environmental concerns.
The U.S. delegation will include senior officials from the U.S. Department of State, Department of Defense, U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Agency for International Development.
The PIF FDP will provide a forum for U.S. and Pacific Islands leaders to discuss issues of regional and global importance including security, climate change, marine conservation, sustainable development, and health.
She will conduct bilateral consultations with heads of state of Pacific Islands Forum members and other senior foreign officials.
Acting Assistant Secretary Thornton will host a roundtable with Pacific Island leaders.
While in Samoa, she will also tour a U.S. Department of Defense’s Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid (OHDACA) funded school renovation project at Safata College and speak at a reception honoring recipients of U.S. Embassy Apia’s public diplomacy grant funding.
